A method for track-independent railway vehicle characterization as ground-borne vibration sources based on blocked forces

In this article, a method to characterise rolling stock as sources of ground-borne noise and vibration is presented. The method is based on the blocked force approach, and it allows for a fully track-independent characterization of railway vehicles. It is designed for laboratory use, serving as a tool that rolling stock manufacturers can employ to assess the ground-borne vibration emissions of new railway vehicle prototypes. This can be achieved by conducting experiments at their own facilities using only a small track section and a set of excitation devices. This paper presents a numerical study of the feasibility of the proposed approach in which the particularities of the method are discussed through various simple case studies. Preliminary instructions to conduct experimental tests to characterise blocked forces of real rolling stock are also included